-atio

an action, process, or result

Forms

-atio
-ation- — Latin stem used outside the basic noun form.
-ation — Borrowed into English through French and Latin.

Origin

Latin -a-, associated with one class of verbs, plus the action-noun suffix -tio.

Note

The same formation can name either doing something or what the action produces.

322 / 374

noun

respiration

res-puh-RAY-shuhn/ˌrespəˈreɪʃn/

The process of exchanging gases between an organism and its environment.

During respiration, oxygen enters the body and carbon dioxide leaves.

An anatomically clear educational view of an adult person's upper torso while breathing, with a translucent chest region showing the lungs and diaphragm in a calm breath.

Etymology

reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal

+spirLatinbreathe or blow

+ationLatinan action, process, or result

“Breathe again” also meant “breathe in and out,” giving the noun its sense of the breathing process. Its application later extended beyond breathing by lungs to plants.

In context

Liz Driscoll4:26

used as energy in the plants also when a plant dies carbon dioxide's given off from the decomposition of the plant and oxygen is additionally important in the process of respiration

Plant Nutrients

More examples

Fish use their gills for respiration.
The nurse checks the patient's respiration after surgery.
Heavy exercise increases the rate of respiration.

Forms

respiratory adjective — Relating to breathing and gas exchange.

Similar words

breathing: Usually refers to moving air into and out of lungs.
gas exchange: Emphasizes the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide.